Auburn loses basketball's Ty Armstrong to knee injury

Auburn has lost another basketball player to a knee injury before Tony Barbee has coached his first game.

Ty Armstrong grounded now (Todd Van Emst photo)

The Tigers announced Tuesday that sophomore forward Ty Armstrong will have surgery on his left knee next week by Dr. James Andrews in Birmingham. Frankie Sullivan, the only returning starter from last season's team, underwent knee surgery July 27.

"I feel for Ty just as much as I feel for Frankie,'' Barbee said in a news release.

"I've always said things happen for a reason, and I truly believe this unfortunate injury to Ty is part of that. Our prayers are with him as he goes through surgery and the rehabilitation process."

Armstrong is a 6-foot-9 forward from Melbourne, Fla., figured to be one of the Tigers' top inside players, though he averaged only two points and 1.6 rebounds per game in limited action last year.